Improvement in cake and fruit-baskets



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CYRUS H. LATHAM.

Improvement in Fruit Baskets.

Patented 'August 15, 1811..

Impmvement in `Fruit' Baskets.

No. 118,027. Patented Augusx 15, 187|.

. STATES PATENT QFFICE.

CYRUS H. LATHAM, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, EDWARD I). VOODS, AND DANIEL SHERVVOOD, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPRovEMl-:NT IN CAKE AND FRUIT-BASKETS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent N o. 118,027, dated August 15, 1871.

To all whom it mayo'ncem:

Be it known that I, CYRUs H. LATHAM, of Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Iniprovcd Basket for Domestic use for Holding' Fruit, 85o., of which the following' is a specification:

My invention consists in a novel manner of making a basket of wire 5 and it has for its object a cheap, strong', and highly-ornaniental article for domestic use, which can be readily taken apart and nested 7 or closely packed for trans portation.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved basket. Fig. 2 is asectional view through the center of the nut and screw which imite the base and top together. Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the manner of bending the ribs of the basket. Fig. 4 is a perspective view representing a holder of different shape secured to the base in place of the basket part A.

rIhe basket A is constructed of wire ribs or strands a, bent to the desired shape, and arranged around a common center at regular distances, with their outer ends I) bent over to grasp and support "the ring d which forms the rim of the basket. The inner ends ofthe wires a are securely held in position in the screw D, which is cast to them, as plainly shown in the drawing. The base B I form of wire upon a machine patented to me April 18,1871,No. 113,7 79, to which reference is hereby made. This base wh en taken from the machine is in the form of a wire cylinder or blank, which is afterward brought to the proper shape between dies or upon a former. The two parts, base and basket, after they are bent into shape, are treated to a bath of tin in a molten state, or plated with any substance, to prevent their corroding and to beautify their appearance. The ends of the wires o have a nut, C, cast to th ein in a similar manner as the wires Wh ich forni the basket, and this nut is screw-threaded to rccei've the screw D, by which the two parts are secured together. The metal of which the nut and screw C D are composed is of the same color and general appearance as the coated or plated wire forming the other parts of the basket.

By this method of construction baskets and holders of various shapes may be used with a single base, as is represented in Fig.v 4 of the drawing, and I intend so to make and sell them with baskets adapted to hold fruits, flowers, cake, ttc.

Vhen the metal for the nut and screw G and D is one that requires a higher degree of heat to 

